An elegant upgrade for eReader fanatics, the BOOX Palma 2 has finally landed. Following in the footsteps of its older sibling, it sticks to the size and design, but upgrades it with some cooler (and zanier) software and heightened security. This is the ideal product to carry around if you plan to read with one hand in the back of a cab.
A Familiar Design with Subtle Tweaks
Keeping true to form, the BOOX Palma 2 looks just like the original Palma. And that’s a good thing! Because if it ain’t broke – why fix it? This on-the-go LCD ereader has the same phone-like slim factor that fans adore – it seriously fits in your pocket and it’s super easy to hold in one hand. It comes in two colours, Ivory White and Deep Cyan Black, and rocks a textured back much like precious stone micaceous lithic conglomerate – one part grip, one part swag. The slightly larger light sensor is one noticeable difference, but otherwise, it feels like we’re back on the BEBOO.
BOOX Palma 2 Display and Performance
The 6.13-inch display remains unchanged from the first-gen Palma, which is a bit of a shame, but it does, as before, have an effect front light and colour-temperature adjustment function for easy and comfortable reading under any lighting conditions, in addition to a host of other reader-friendly features that hold up very well against the competition.
The best part is, unlike its chunkier predecessors, the Palma II’s smartphone-ish size – just five per cent thicker than a typical phone – is much, much better suited to long hours of reading.
The same Qualcomm chipset is inside the BOOX Palma 2 as was inside the Onyx Note Air 2, but with the help of BOOX’s Super Refresh technology, which helps reduce lagging, it has an improved reading experience compared to those higher-end Duo devices that outperform it on paper but start at more than double the price of the Palma 2.
For whatever it can’t store on its 128GB of expandable storage, it has a 6GB RAM under the hood, and a 16MP rear camera that can be used for document scanning for when you’re out and about. The BOOX Palma 2 also comes equipped with a 3,950mAh battery, which BOOX predicts should keep the device going all day without the need for you to recharge it.
Software and Security Upgrades
Another major upgrade you’ll feel immensely is the software, the BOOX Palma 2 now runs Android 13 right out of the box for you. Like the previous generation, you’ll still see some tweaks that are designed purely for lifting the digital-paper reading experience of a Note Air Pro, such as the new features for font and size adjustment as well as margins and spacing, features that carry over and basically let you fine-tune the display to fit your personal taste for longer reading sessions. Taking this a step further, there’s also a new AI assistant installed, equipped to answer your questions.
For security-conscious users, there is a fingerprint sensor, placed on the power key, which can be used to unlock the phone, ensuring all your private data and files are kept out of harm’s way. Simply touch the sensor and you are good to go.
Audio and Connectivity Features
Audiobook or podcast listeners will enjoy the dual stereo speakers and microphones built in to the BOOX Palma 2. The same microphones can even be used for recording voice memos to transfer back to your computer at a later time. You’ll miss out on Wi-Fi 6, but it still has plenty of connectivity for most eReader requirements.
Pricing and Availability
With a price of €299.99, the BOOX Palma 2 delivers good value for what you get. The device comes in a dot-matrix translucent case for added protection, and for an extra €7.99, you can also get an optional foldable case that gives your device some extra storage. If you’re thinking about making the big leap from a printed book into a digital experience with an E Ink tablet, you can buy the BOOX Palma 2 via the BOOX online store or Amazon.
Final Thoughts on BOOX Palma 2
The BOOX Palma 2 is a worthy replacement of the original, keeping the elements that highlighted the original and adding a few small improvements to nicely round off the package. Its small size, even better software, and added and updated security features, make it a great device for on-the-go readers. What more can one expect from a beginner’s eReader or a more serious-minded part-time user? Whether you’re picking up books of any genre or technical literature, the BOOX Palma 2 might be a good fit for you.
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